Influence of thick, low transparency, circular holed grid on {open_quotes}{ital slow quenching}{close_quotes} of a Cs-Ba tacitron

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

OSTI ID:627676

Wernsman, B; El-Genk, M S ^[1]

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1. Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico87131 (United States)

Transient Langmuir probe measurements of the plasma density, electron temperature, and plasma potential in the emitter-grid, grid, and grid-collector discharge regions during {open_quotes}{ital slow quenching}{close_quotes} of a Cs-Ba tacitron having a thick, low transparency, circular aperture grid were made. When compared to that of a thinner grid device, results showed that extinguishing in the grid-collector region occurred near the grid, but in a similar manner to that in the thinner grid device. Results showed that the beam electrons responsible for maintaining the discharge in the grid-collector gap, following the application of a negative voltage pulse to the grid, gained their energy in the emitter side of the grid aperture. This finding indicates that both the thickness of the grid and the length of the grid-collector region are important for determining where extinguishing in the grid-collector gap ensues and whether stable modulation of the device can be achieved. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 627676
• Report Number(s): CONF-970115--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 387; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
42 ENGINEERING
DESIGN
LANGMUIR FREQUENCY
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SWITCHES
POWER SYSTEMS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TEMPERATURE RANGE 1000-4000 K